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Insulted for Asking: A Blow to Journalism’s Future
In a democracy, questions are not crimes, and those who ask them should not be insulted. Yet, in a shocking incident in Assam recently, a minister publicly humiliated a journalist during an interactive session simply for doing his job: asking a question. The journalist had raised a query about a scam allegedly involving the minister and his family. Instead of addressing the concern or denying the charges, the minister lashed out, calling the journalist a “lower-class person”. His comment was not a slip of the tongue; it was a deliberate insult aimed at discrediting and demeaning the media. Worse still, this is not the first time such behaviour has come from those in power in Assam. In a previous instance, another minister verbally attacked journalists during a press interaction, showing blatant disrespect for the very profession that is meant to hold power accountable.
These repeated verbal assaults from public representatives are not isolated; they reflect a dangerous trend of political arrogance, a disregard for democratic values, and a growing hostility toward freedom of the press. The most disturbing part of these incidents is the message they send to future journalists. In a time when truth is under threat and misinformation spreads easily, the role of reporters, especially investigative journalists, has become more critical than ever. But what happens when young aspiring journalists witness their seniors being humiliated and degraded on public platforms by ministers? What happens when asking a question about corruption results not in an answer but in an insult?
For students of journalism and reporters embarking on a career in Assam and beyond, these moments are not just headlines; they are warnings. They send a chilling signal that speaking truth to the powers that be may come with personal attacks, loss of dignity, and public shaming. This could discourage many from pursuing journalism altogether, especially those from rural backgrounds or marginalised communities who already face social and economic barriers. The use of the term “lower class” is particularly troubling. It’s not just an insult; it’s a form of discrimination. It reflects a dangerous mindset that ranks people’s worth based on social status, wealth, or influence. Journalism, by nature, draws people from diverse backgrounds, some from small towns, some from middle-class families, and some without any political connections. To label them as inferior because of who they are or where they come from is not just undemocratic; it is deeply unjust. Journalists are not supposed to please the powerful. They are not here to flatter or to serve. They are here to ask, to investigate, to challenge, and to expose.
A minister being questioned about a scam should be prepared with facts and explanations, not insults. When a person in power uses their position to humiliate a journalist, it shows both weakness and fear, a fear of being exposed and a weakness in handling accountability. If this culture of verbal abuse continues unchecked, Assam risks losing a generation of brave, honest journalists. Newsrooms will start to empty, not because there is no news, but because there is no protection for those who report it. Young voices may choose safer professions, self-censorship may increase, and the powerful will grow bolder, knowing there is no one left to challenge them. This is a critical moment. Silence cannot be an option. The Chief Minister and the ruling leadership must step forward and make their stance clear. Do they stand with democratic values, or with those who mock and threaten journalists? A public apology from the minister is not just necessary; it’s the minimum that must be done. If leaders do not act now, they will be seen as endorsing the insult, not condemning it. Media organizations and journalist unions must also come together, not just to protest, but to protect. Strong legal and institutional support for reporters must be built. Journalism schools must prepare their students for the harsh realities of the field while also assuring them that their voice matters and that the profession still holds pride and purpose. To the aspiring journalists of Assam: This is not the end. It is a test. The insults thrown at the media are meant to silence, but they should only strengthen your resolve. You are needed now more than ever, not to be quiet, but to be fearless.
Every insult thrown your way is proof that your questions make a difference. In conclusion, when a minister calls a journalist “lower class” for asking a question, it is not just a personal attack; it is an attack on democracy, accountability, and the right to know. Assam must decide what kind of future it wants: one where journalists are insulted into silence or one where they are empowered to speak, investigate, and inform. If we allow such insults to go unanswered, we risk losing not just our journalists, but our democracy itself.
Rimakshi Barman
Cotton University
Corruption and unholy nexus
Over the years, all-pervasive cultures of bribes have permeated every sphere of the people's lives in the society. Much of the backwardness and inequality prevailing in the country can be attributed to corruption. The latest issues of allegations of misappropriation of a particular MP Local Areas Development (MPLAD) fund are not the first time, which has once again brought to the fore the unholy nexus comprising politicians, officers and contractors. The editorial 'Unholy nexus' published in your esteemed daily on June 30 has rightly highlighted that this nexus undermines the integrity of governance, leading to inefficiencies, financial irregularities and a lack of accountability. Nexus cum corruption has a huge social cost.
Funds are meant for the welfare and benefits of the common people. When the funds are allegedly siphoned off, they give birth to social and economic injustice which often fuels militancy and secessionist tendencies. Perpetuation of corruption also results in a sense of resignation among the masses, who, willingly or unwillingly, end up being a part of the corrupt system. Now, a massive crackdown was needed, which should be a deterrent to some extent, as it is a much-needed exercise that can give the harrowed commoner some succour.
If the state government is really serious about the unholy nexus, it must give more teeth to the anti-corruption machinery by giving a free hand to the officials engaged in probing and prosecuting cases of corruption to ensure that those involved are held accountable. Pursuance of court cases against the corrupt also needs to be efficient so that the corrupt are adequately punished. If a person who amassed crores of rupees through corrupt practices gets to serve three to four years in jail, that is hardly a punishment commensurate with the crime committed, nor does it amount to any meaningful deterrent. So, if necessary, the relevant laws should be changed. The role of media in carrying out sting operations occasionally to expose such corrupt nexus needs to be appreciated.
Iqbal Saikia,
Guwahati.